Daily Inspiration: Meet Evelyn Rude

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Rude.

Hi Evelyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
During the pandemic in 2020, I was a junior in high school trying to find internships for myself during the summer. I was supposed to intern for a representative on Capitol Hill but sadly, it was canceled due to Covid-19. When I was in high school, I was known for my photography because I was literally one of the very few students in both yearbook and newspaper to actually understand how to work with my camera. I was involved in the school newspaper but took many of the photos for the yearbook because my journalism teacher loved my photos.

I was getting more serious with my photography, so I decided to find an internship under someone who could show me the ropes within the industry and help me grow my beginning business. For some reason, Facebook is the way to find local photographers and opportunities. I joined multiple photography groups and asked around if anyone was looking for an assistant or intern.

I found a short-term internship through a friend from the Facebook group and she referred me to Kaitlin Newman. Now Kaitlin is someone who I look up to a lot. Just like me, she began her career at a super early age. I was 17 at the time and somehow managed to learn from her. Kaitlin is what I call a girl boss. She is a photojournalism professor, worked for the Baltimore Sun, social media manager for successful businesses, a military photojournalist, and a freelance photographer. She hustles like crazy.

During my time with Kaitlin, she taught me how to make connections and to improve my business. She wanted me to have a niche for myself and to be confident in my work. On the first day with her, my first assignment was helping her with a fashion photoshoot at a mansion in Baltimore, Maryland. It was a big shoot for a newbie like me then, but she and everyone on set were very helpful and understanding. That photoshoot motivated me to go above and beyond for my business.

I would say during the summer of 2020, I spent a lot of time figuring out my style, how to find clients, and learning how to make connections. I would say the number one thing to understand when it comes to any creative field is to learn how to make connections. Being able to communicate with others within the industry can help you not only find more opportunities and become successful but also learn how to be social with both clients and peers.

As for 2021, I really spent my time trying to focus on doing more creative shoots but yet being able to diversify my skills. I tried out weddings, boudoir, fashion, product photography and etc. I feel like as a photographer, being able to shoot multiple different works of photography can help gain attraction from multiple clients, but also improve your skill as a photographer.

I have been grateful for all the people I have met and worked with this year. I got to do a few styled shoots, create my All of Asia project, constantly improve my skill and clientele. I moved here from D.C. but I have already met a good amount of local photographers in Austin.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been hard for me to prove my talent to people. It was hard getting gigs like weddings or even fashion shoots because of my gear. For the longest of times (until recently because of my birthday) I had a cropped sensor Canon T5i as my main camera.

That dinosaur of a camera has been with me since I was 12 or 13, so around seven years. I have a Canon 5D Mark IV now, but that was literally not even a week ago when I got it. The T5i will always be my baby though. A lot of people looked down on me because of my camera, but there were some individuals who still hired me because of my actual work.

Here is some advice, it doesn’t matter how expensive or nice a camera is, it is the person behind controlling it. And when It comes to investing in gear, lenses are going to help capture that perfect moment. It doesn’t matter what kind of camera body one owns, the lens is more important. Thanks to the lenses I invested in, I was able to capture my photos clearly although I had an older camera body.

This year, I spent a lot of time creating my own shoots and working with clients. My business is nearly two years old, but I am not where I want to be yet. I feel like for any artist, there is always a want to improve one’s work. There is always room to improve.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Mainly, I am involved in editorial, fashion, and photojournalism photography. I have experience in other works of photography, but those are my main three. I am known for being able to capture the story behind a photo. That is what photojournalism is all about but my clients have told me they have seen it within all of my work.

I don’t believe in using presets for my work because I feel like every shoot I do is different. I will edit based on the mood and story of my clients. I love capturing emotion and expression within my work. Usually, I will go for low contrast and color grade like crazy for every photo.

For me, I am all about the story behind the photo. I love doing what I do because I am able to build a bond with my clients and continue the relationship we have built after a shoot is done. I am a very outgoing and easygoing person to be around, so I would proudly say that my clients have never had an awkward moment around me. I am all about boosting their confidence and will be the best hypeman behind the camera.

I always go above and beyond for all of my shoots. I have almost lost my head a few times lying on the road for my clients, so just know I will do anything for that perfect photo. I promise that I am the most extra for any of my clients and awkwardness is nonexistent when booking with me 😉

How do you define success?
For me, success is stability. I feel like a lot of people think success is making a lot of money or even gaining fame for their work. I think when I can be financially stable from freelancing, social media marketing, and content creating, that is when I will consider myself successful.

Pricing:

• – $175 for mini session
• – $300 for 1 hour (2 outfit changes and location change)
• – $200 for headshots
• – Anything over 1hr, pricing will be discussed

Contact Info:

• Email: evelynrudephotography@gmail.com
• Website: evelynrude.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erude.photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evelynrudephotography/

Image Credits:
1) Basement photoshoot with Garrett Johnson 2) Bridgerton photoshoot with Justine and Jerry Ravindranath 3) Neon lights photoshoot with Bren Espinosa 4) All of Asia Project with model Shika Singh 5) Example of my product photography